Post by Rose's Goats on Oct 8, 2009 8:14:39 GMT -5

There's a big difference between toxoid and antitoxin when it comes to treatment and vaccination.

TOXOID - is for vaccination of goats for long term immunity. Most common forms of it are CDT toxoid. This vaccine builds immunity against Clostridium perfingens types C and D (aka: enterotoxemia or overeating disease in kids), and Clostridium tetani (aka: tetanus). This is a shot that should be given to kids at weaning. If it is the first time vaccinating the goat for CDT, then you must follow the initial shot with a booster shot 4-6 weeks later. After that you must revaccinate yearly. This is a good vaccine to give to pregnant goats 6 weeks before kidding in order to transfer immunity to the kids. Toxoids contain either killed or attenuated (weakened) versions of the disease causing organism in order to expose the body to that disease. The body's immune system will then create its own antibodies against it and will store them internally for when the body is exposed to the live and infectious version. This way the body is able to fight off the infection because it already has antibodies for it.

ANTITOXIN - is for treatment or prevention of disease after a goat show symptoms or after exposure, if the goat has not been previously vaccinated. CD antitoxin is for treatment of Clostridium perfingens types C and D. It is useful in cases of enterotoxemia and can be given orally. Tetanus antitoxin is useful if a goat has a puncture wound, cut, or other skin penetrating injury. This is given to an unvaccinated goat to protect them from getting tetanus following injury. Antitoxins contain preformed antibodies that give immediate, but short lived, immunity to the body. These antibodies are not stored by the body for later use. They force an immediate immune response but do not cause the body to create its own antibodies. [glow=red,2,300]Toxoid[/glow] is for vaccination, [glow=red,2,300]antitoxin[/glow] is for treatment.

Post by Rose's Goats on Oct 8, 2009 8:41:36 GMT -5

CD antitoxin will NOT treat tetanus! You must get tetanus antitoxin in order to treat for tetanus.

CDT toxoid is a combination vaccine and will vaccinate against Clostridium perfingens types C and D (enterotoxemia) AND Clostridium tetani (tetanus). You can also just get CD toxoid and tetanus toxoid separately.

Read the labels carefully in order to be sure of what you are getting!!